AHCC use and one daring hypothesis

3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Clinical & Cellular Immunology

Case Report:
An 84 years old woman was living in a city near Caxias do Sul. At the initial visit at her home (November 2012),
she weighed 36 Kg, and a height 1m 60 cm. She complained of weakness, malaise, loss of appetite, fatigue, bad digestion, and
depression. Her daughter, informed that two years ago, her mother had one episode of fainting, and in the last eight months
had been progressively losing weight, more depressed, with insomnia, dry eyes, dry mouth, no appetite, swallowing difficulty,
bad digestion, weakness, under-nutrition, and slow movements. At physical examination signals of malnutrition were
obvious (frail, space between ribs, subcutaneous tissue almost absent, bones prominent. Her BMI was 14.06). The presence of
malnutrition was evident, triggered by hypothyroidism, and Sj?gren disease, confirmed by complementary tests. Biochemical
tests and salivary scintigraphy were conducted to the diagnosis. Our clinical treatment started on Nov 22, 2012, taking in
account all her daily needs she was treated by adding levothyroxine 50 mcg daily, and AHCC [Active Hexose Correlated
Compound (a bioactive nutrient)] 1g 3 times a day.
Evolution:
Her course was of evident of recovery; in less than one month she presented eye tears, tongue humidity, and
gradually improved food taste, appetite, and a better mood. Last March 2013, she has sustained improvements. She gained
weight, no more fatigue, also improved her mood, and in her last evaluation, on April 06 2013, she was weighing 50 Kg, and
her BMI was 19.5. At present the patient is using AHCC 1 g 3 times a day, and is clinically well, without the complaints referred
before her treatment. The cascade of clinical normalization appeared after AHCC use. In synthesis, we want to emphasize the
cascade of favorable clinical events sparked by AHCC use, continue to sustain today. She was met last June 23, 2014, weighing
55 kg, BMI is 21.5, all her previous complaints alleviated after the AHCC treatment. Subsequently 5 more patients have been
added to the study and thus far they all are showing similar path to improvement. AHCC: Non Absorbable Glucides (NAG)
like AHCC, Inulin, FOS act as Prebiotics, but AHCC exerts distinguished pleiotropic singular kind of actions as seen from
many published literature. It is isolated from hybridization of several species of mushroom mycelia, in a patented process of
cultivation. Its formula presents Polysaccharides (alpha-glucans, beta-glucan and activated hemicellulose), glycoproteins and
amino acids. Particularly rich in alpha-glucans (important nutrients), which has an active component of acetylated alpha-
glucans that possess attributed capacity to enhance the immune system. These are low molecular weight (under 5000 Daltons)
structures and increase the efficiency of its nutrient assimilation and utilization by the GI tract as well cells of the immune
system strengthening the defense; more is absorbed and used than eliminated.

Biography

Francisco Karkow MD, Past Full Professor of Metabology, Department of Surgery, Medical School, University of Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. Full Professor od
Metabology, Department of Metabology, F?tima's Faculty, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. PhD. Surgical Area, Surgical Metabolism, Faculty of Medical Science, S?o
Paulo, SP, Brazil. Past President of the Brazilian Society of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition. Member of the Brazilian College of Surgery. Member of the Brazilian
Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Member of the Age Management Medicine Group. 291 Barberry Road, Highland Park, IL 60035.